‘Modimolle monster’ never wanted to hurt ex

Pretoria - Alleged “Modimolle monster” Johan Kotze never intended hurting his former wife but could not control himself, the High Court in Pretoria heard on Thursday.

This emerged from statements made by Kotze's advocate Bernard Bantjes to Kotze's former wife Ina Bonette.

Kotze, Andries Sithole, Pieta Mohlane and Frans Mphaka are accused of murdering Bonette's 19-year-old son Conrad and of kidnapping, repeatedly raping, assaulting and trying to murder her in January of this year.

They have all pleaded not guilty.

Bantjes put it to Bonette that his client could remember “hurting her nipple” with pliers and “slowly and uncertainly” pushing a needle into her one breasts.

Kotze became frightened when he saw blood and tried to help her by stopping the blood with medication.

Kotze claimed he was also frightened and was very upset when he later read in the newspapers that both of Bonette's nipples had been “snipped”.

Bonette testified earlier that Kotze had sawn off both her nipples during a prolonged torture session.

“He says you talked nicely to each other, and then there would be outbursts,” Bantjes said.

“He says he could not really control himself.

“He will allege that it was not his intention to hurt you. He says it's not in his nature to hurt anyone.”

Bonette responded: “Well, your honour, he tortured me and hurt me.”

She said Kotze had never looked scared, because he had just kept on with his attack.

She rejected Kotze's version that he had repeatedly begged his co-accused not to hurt Bonette, and that they were alone in the room.

Bonette also denied admitting that she had cheated on Kotze.

“Your honour, I could not talk. I had tape around my mouth the whole time. I never cheated on him,” she said.